Final answer:
International trade theories help explain why countries engage in trade, the nature of traded goods and services, and the resulting economic dynamics. Protectionism, comparative and absolute advantages, differences in resource endowments, overlapping demand, and the Diamond Model are key concepts associated with various theories. The WTO is integral in shaping international trade rules and policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject under discussion is international trade theory, which explains why nations engage in trading activities and aims to predict the type, direction, and volume of goods and services that will be exchanged. Each theory has its unique characteristics associated with specific trade dynamics. Here is a list associating the general characteristics to their respective international trade theories:
- Mercantilism: Government stimulates trade by means of protectionism.
- Absolute Advantage: Countries trade most efficiently produced goods.
- Comparative Advantage: Trade goods and services at a lower opportunity cost than others.
- Differences in Resource Endowments: Trade materials that are abundant.
- Overlapping Demand: Trade influenced by relative income levels.
- Diamond Model of National Competitive Advantage: Factors that can result in competitive advantage for one economy over another.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) plays a vital role in facilitating international trade by helping negotiate trade rules, including those pertaining to tariffs, quotas, and nontariff barriers.